What Makes A Hylian

by The Gossip Stone

Just beyond the borders of Hyrule, in the village of Ordon, a young ranch hand seeks to fulfil his lifelong ambition and join the ranks of the Royal Hylian Forces. Though not a Hylian by birth, he strives to prove himself to both his family and the denizens of Hyrule. (Set during the events of Ocarina Of Time and told through retrospective narrative).

38. Chapter 38

The horses at Lon Lon Ranch were being guided one by one into the stable as the sky faded from a pale blue to a hazy lilac. The last one trotted inside as Malon waited to close the door, when she heard the sound of approaching hooves. A beautiful white colt came striding towards her, carrying a tall blonde-haired solider bearing the Hylian crest on his chest.

"Laurel? Is that you?" she gazed admirably at him. "You came back!"

He dismounted his steed and embraced his lost love.

What about me? Aurarius chimed. Malon laughed and cuddled his head in her chest.

"I just had to see you again!" Laurel insisted. "So much has happened since I left the ranch!"

"Malon?" a voice called from the farmhouse. A short, round moustached man in blue overalls appeared in the field: the exact opposite of Ingo, Laurel recognised him immediately from the drawing he had found in Malon's room.

"Laurel, this is my father, Talon." Malon introduced him.

Talon snatched Laurel's hand and shook it heartily. "You must be the famous Laurel! Malon has spoken very highly of you! In fact, she insisted that I contacted Princess Zelda herself and put in a recommendation as a royal guard!"

"It was you?" Laurel asked her, though secretly he had always known. Malon nodded bashfully and blushed. "Malon; Mr Talon; I owe you the world!"

"Don't be ridiculous, my boy!" Talon's red cheeks beamed. "Consider it my thanks for taking care of her in my absence!"

"I knew you would make a good knight." Malon agreed. "You've always been a hero to me."

Laurel smiled modestly. "Actually, Mr Talon, I came to ask you one last favour..."

"Anything, my boy!" Talon chirped.

So, it was agreed that Lon Lon Ranch and Ordon Ranch were to be twinned; Talon, Malon and Ingo would provide for the villagers of Ordon in return for some of their land and livestock. Negotiations continued between Mayor Buriji and Princess Zelda, and Ordon became gradually more integrated into Hyrule.

And Laurel? Over time, he was elevated to the position of Commanding Knight, and was presented with his own golden armour, as a merit for his efforts. Thus, he became known by his comrades as the Gold Knight. He would often visit Malon and Talon at Lon Lon Ranch, and his mother back at Ordon. Until eventually, the day came when he was dispatched on a mission; a quest that would take him abroad to faraway lands beyond Hyrule's borders. The time had come for him to say his goodbyes.